West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-02-03


ing the doors leading TO the bathroom
and closet. was tired, and fell asleep
immediately.
chow long l slept souudly I cannot
tell. i am utterly unable to describe the
first sensations / experienced. Dimly
and afar off, I heard Dick Munson's
voice, speaking as though in terrible
fear or from out an overpowering night
mare.
''At first the sounds came TO me Ikea
voice mutiled by the walls Of a close
room, and conveyed 10 my mind no dis
tinct form of words Bot the tone was
one of warning, and told me as plainly
as words could have done that was ia
/ deadly peril of some kind.
After time the voice teased, and
heard, as plainly a now hear the rum
bling OF wheels outside, the rapping OF a
private signal known only to Dick and
myself and used only in the bank when
he desired to attract my attention 20 any
face or suspicious circumstance in front
of his window. This was repeated sew
cral times. Then heard the voice again,
clear and distinct this tim as though a
door or window had been opened in the
room from which it proceeded.
There was no mistaking the words
this time. heard them over and over
again, as one hears words in vivid
dreams: Lock the bathroom door!
can't get that slouchiDg figure out OF my
mindp With the words came a feeling
which cannot describe, but which YOU
have, doubtless, all experienced SEN
satiou of immediate personal danger
coupled wi h physical inability 20 con
troll muscle TO meet IT.
"The words and the private signal al
ternated many times, and then heard a
crash-such crash as would follow the
falling OF a heavy window-sash.
'Absolue silence followed, and with
the silence came sense OF physical de.
preston, as though current Of cleo
tr-city which had wrought my nerves to
their utmost tension had suddenly been
withdrawn.
II awoke instantly When | say
awoke, / mean that / awoke 10 a con
sciousncss OF the things Immediately
about me, for it is my belief that my
mental condition previous 20 that time
cannot be expressed OF described by the
word sleep.
81 heard the City Hall clock strike
one and tried to sleep again, but could
not do so. | could think Of nothing but
NaAN eAChNAAAn Z hdh etfll curly III
the evening on the outer edge of tho
walk; found it impossible to forget the
mysterious words warning me TO lock
the bathroom door!
81 should have got out OF bed and
made n tour OF the bathroom and closet
only Il occurred to me it would be a
rather ridiculous thing to do Men who
pride themselves on a practical turn Of
mind dislike TO do ridiculous things.
even when alone. Bc>id s., notwith-
standing tho eject produced upon me
by what had heard. regarded the mat
ter as an unusually clear cut dream, and
was net in the least alarmed. The longer
| lay awake the more thoroughly did I
be ONE convinced that the nervous sus-
picions Of the ia ing-t,llcr were alone
respons BIC for M losing good hour Of
sleep, aud | resolved TO make up for lost
time as S )on as possible by turning over
for unother nap.
eff had not, as n preliminary step to
the resolve so formed, raised myself in
bed and made a great noise beating up
and rearranging my pillows perhaps the
most trying portion Of that nights ex
periencG would have been spared me.
BE that as it my, the fact remains that
before had arranged my pillows TO my
liking my attention was diverted from
my task by three rather starting objects.
"The first was n dark lantern pouring
It's round red rays fu', in my face. The
second was an unusually long and un-
naturally br. .ght self-cocking revolver To-
Gated within SIX inches OF my nose. I he
third was a particularly villainous face.
with thick, black eyebrows running 20
gether above the nose, forming no arch
to speak Of, and producing the general
effect of a straight, unbrokcn line cross
ing the lower forehead
"Was frightened, Yes; but / scarcely
think my fri ght took the usual form. I
knew In an instant, as well as I know
now, that it was not my life. nor the
trliiing amount Of money he might find
IN my room, that the intruder wanted 1
recognized his presence there as part Of
well-laid plan t) rob the bank. The
intrudcrs first words confirmed my sus-
picions.
Get up and dress yourself, he said.
In q whisper. we want you at the bank
II yoI value your life be quick about it,
and make no noise
'Ihe mans arguments were unanswcr-
able, and ! obeyod
on are 20 90 with me tO the bunk
nc Aalu, hDlulng ms weapon close 70 my
head ne J dressed aud open the vault
The first movement you make 10 escape
or call assistance will be your last by
mates nrc below. If I miss my aim. they
will not IL we meet an o Gccr Mt the
bank, or on the way there. and YOU are
questioned, YOU arc TO say that you want
important papers left on your desk. and
pass on 1Ou will not be harnod. We
want money, and not human life DO
you understand
''in short time ] was 40 the outer
door Of my sitting room dressed for the
street Never for an instant. Ion am mv
Journeys about the room TO secure my
clothes, had the threatening weapon been
removed from tho close position Of nv
waking moment still had not
abandoned AN hope Surely between
my rooms and the bank. some opp Jrtu.
nifty for escape would present itself
had no intention OF uhlO king the vault
80 the last moment I should have risk %
q icw shots from the robbers rcvolycrs
Wy escort unlocked the sitting room
door and paused with his hand ou thr
knob. st that instant % sound of foot
steps was heard ON tho stairs. the kcv
was quietly turned iu Inc lock and !
felt for the first time thc cold rim Ola
revolver ON ms temple The stops passed
NV door. and fhr wo4uon was Ior-rf Il